kritika 
(C): X
The Microsoft green card suspension has been official, and it is impacting thousands of H-1B employees, whose permanent residency deadlines have just been thrown into limbo. The U.S. Labor Department has banned both companies from the PERM Labor Certification program on Oct. 8, 2026. So what does this mean for you if you are an H-1B employee with either company, and what should you do at this time?
What the Suspension Actually Means
The PERM Labour Certification is the first step in the process of the employer-sponsored green card. If not, businesses will not be able to sponsor workers for permanent residency.
The Labour Department mentioned several pending federal investigations. At the same time, other companies like Cognizant, Infosys, Capgemini, Tata, Wipro, and HCL were also suspended.
| Key Facts | Details |
| Announcement Date | October 8, 2026 |
| Suspended Companies | Microsoft, Adobe, Cognizant, Infosys, Tata, Wipro, HCL, Capgemini |
| Program Affected | PERM Labour Certification (green card step 1) |
| Microsoft H-1B Petitions (2026) | 21,706 (median salary: $180,710) |
| Reason Given | A number of active federal investigations. |
Does This Affect Your H-1B Visa Status Right Now?
The key difference here is that it only impacts the new PERM application and not H-1B visa status. If you are currently on an H-1B at Microsoft or Adobe, you will have your work authorization until then.
But if you haven’t begun your green card process, it is on hold now. If a worker has an application that is in the middle of the process, he or she may experience a long wait. It is important to stay informed – and take proactive steps – if you want to stay in your H-1B visa job.
Your Options as an H-1B Worker
This is the time to carefully consider your immigration situation. Action steps to take:
- Seek the advice of an immigration lawyer right away – make sure you know the status of the PERM application.
- Make sure you obtain your I-140 status – an approved I-140 is valid even if sponsorship is on hold!
- Discuss AC21 portability of H-1B workers who have had an I-140 approved by the H-1B to be able to switch employers after 180 days.
- Explore other visa options – O-1, EB-1 visas do not have to go through PERM and may be an option for you.
FAQs
Would the Microsoft Green Card Suspension cancel existing green card applications?
No. However, the suspension will not affect those who have submitted the application before October 8, 2026. In this case, your application will be processed using the regular procedure and may have a changed timeline. Consult an immigration lawyer regarding the current state of your case.
Will H-1B employees be able to change jobs at Microsoft or Adobe in this period of waiting?
Yes, in many cases. This is because if your I-140 is approved, and you have been in H-1B status for at least 180 days, you can change employers under AC21 without losing your priority date.
What’s Next for Microsoft Employees?
Will Microsoft Layoffs End Soon?
Check out the latest updates on Xbox job cuts and restructuring plans.
Could H-1B Hiring Face More Scrutiny?
Discover how Microsoft layoffs are fueling debate over H-1B hiring.
Are More Xbox Employees at Risk?
Find out what the 2026 gaming layoffs could mean for workers.
Are Tech Giants Prioritizing Work-Life Balance?
Explore how Apple, Microsoft, Netflix, and Starbucks are approaching work-life balance.
Which Microsoft Teams Faced Major Job Cuts?
Uncover how layoffs affected HoloLens, Surface, Xbox, and other teams.
